Cafe Racer Project

[Adrian]

Hello to all,

My cafe racer project being built in Knysna, South Africa ... this bike is going to look stunning!

1972 T120RV collected from a small-holding near Knysna in December last year


Frame stripped, engine loosely fitted


Hubs powder coated, rear hub drilled in the Manx style


Front wheel laced and Michelin tyre fitted to gold anodized rims


TT exhaust pipes fettled into place, primary chain case polishing up nicely


Can you just imagine the music that's going to erupt from those megaphones?


Alloy fuel tank and mudguard in place


We've decided that the tank cannot be used - the seam welding is too rough and the indents are not symmetrical. A crying shame and a waste of GBP 400!!

 

[DaveM]

Knowing Gavin as I do you will only get the best out of this project and so far I can see that coming into place. Be sure to update us as you get more information and photos as I will be watching this one with keen interest. I may just give Gavin a ring some time to get a bit of the inside scoop on it

 

[otherwise]

Who made the tank?
We should be told as a warning.
I for one will be after a similar tank and don't want to order from the same people.

 

[Adrian]

Hi Otherwise,

I'm a bit reluctant to bad-mouth the guys as I had really good service from them. They sent me pictures of the tank for my approval before it was shipped (and only took the payment at this point). I commented that the welding seams looked rough and they replied that there would be minor imperfections because each tank was handmade, but agreed to do more grinding.

It was only when the tank arrived at Gavin's workshop that he was able to assess the flaws. As I said, the welding seams were still rough and more importantly, the indents were not symmetrical nor evenly contoured. Being the perfectionist that he is, Gavin said that he would be would not put something of that obvious poor quality onto a bike that he was building.

I guess that is the risk you face when your order specialist parts from an overseas supplier. I am waiting to hear back from them to see what they are prepared to do, will let you know the outcome.

 

[DaveM]

lol When I first looked at the tank I thought it was a work in progress as I know Gavin would never send it out like that this is why I just passed over it. Hope you get it sorted out as you say it is always a bit of a risk when ordering custom built parts like this

 

[otherwise]

Your call about naming the maker.
I asked as I've been told of (second hand stories) a UK tank manufacturer who has a number of times sent this kind of substandard work to Australia knowing that it's almost impossible for us on the other side of the world to get satisfaction, cost of return post, long delays and conflicting stories when corresponding etc.

 

[otherwise]

Hi Otherwise,

I'm a bit reluctant to bad-mouth the guys as I had really good service from them. They sent me pictures of the tank for my approval before it was shipped (and only took the payment at this point). I commented that the welding seams looked rough and they replied that there would be minor imperfections because each tank was handmade, but agreed to do more grinding.

It was only when the tank arrived at Gavin's workshop that he was able to assess the flaws. As I said, the welding seams were still rough and more importantly, the indents were not symmetrical nor evenly contoured. Being the perfectionist that he is, Gavin said that he would be would not put something of that obvious poor quality onto a bike that he was building.

I guess that is the risk you face when your order specialist parts from an overseas supplier. I am waiting to hear back from them to see what they are prepared to do, will let you know the outcome.

Just thinking about your post above ...

You say, "the welding seams were still rough and more importantly, the indents were not symmetrical nor evenly contoured", how can that be, as you say "I had really good service"?
Being nice and smiling while picking your pocket, good service?

 

[Adrian]

Yeah, sounds like a contradiction I know.

I developed a good raport with the guy through a number of emails and phone calls. I never once got the impression that he was being underhanded. The problem lies in the fact that the guy who started the business many years ago and who hand-made these tanks, died and his daughter and son-in-law are keeping the business going (DaveM, I believe that Gavin had one of his tanks on the Triton he used to own). They don't have the skill or experience that the old man had but are doing their best to reproduce his designs using the original methods ... maybe they are out of their depth? My perception of good service came from the positive interaction I had with them. Let's see if that still exists.

 

[DaveM]

Well if Gavin had one of the tanks on his bike it must have been from the old man then as he is so fussy about how things look I can only guess it was not one of the new line as you got sent. It is a shame if the son cannot reproduce what his father did then he should think of packing it in as bad workmanship is very soon noticed and talked about.

Keep us posted on the outcome of the tank as well. Are you maybe looking at getting a new manufacture to do a new tank as it seems that may be the way to go.

 

[grandpaul]

Most likely a competent welder can repair it? I would assume they'd work with you on payment to the welder to get it to a nominally workable condition.

 

[Adrian]

Difficult for me to say GrandPaul, I haven't actually seen the offending article. It's a bit frustrating to be sitting here in Qatar while the bike is starting to take shape in South Africa.

However, I fully trust Gavin's judgement on this, and I'm sure he would have suggested a work-around if he thought it was feasible.

 

[keystiger]

LOVE the gold rims. Can't wait to see what the end product is.

 

[Adrian]

Thanks Keystiger, bought them Central Wheels in the UK.

A few more pics:

The mudguard will be trimmed back once we have the final seat position


Braced swing-arm - not essential but looks cool


Battery will be housed in the tail


Tail section

 

[DaveM]

It is going to look great when it is all done

 

[keystiger]

 

[CarlS]

I, too like the gold rims. That is going to be one beautiful bike. Please keep us updated on the dank. That has to be a big disappointment to you.

 

[grandpaul]

That is the coolest tail I've ever seen. Who designed it? I'd trademark the design.

 

[DaveM]

Paul looking at the design I would say that must be Gavin's work

 

[Adrian]

Yep, Dave is correct on that - it's a hand made one-off, not another like it anywhere on the planet!

Update on the alloy fuel tank: the guy in the UK was a bit peeved that I approached him so long after the tank was received, but has agreed to refund me after I return it to him, at my cost, of course. We've sorted it out amicably without any accusations or mudslinging. Can't really ask for more than that.

 

[otherwise]

Good result considering.
Now to find someone who can do quality work, keep us up to date on that one.